The Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State has said it restricted the 2023 marathon to only staff members, students and its group of schools to discover budding talents in athletics.

The Chairperson of the Marathon Organising Committee, Prof. Modesta Egiyi, stated this while inaugurating the exercise on Friday in Enugu State.

The 2022 marathon of the university was open to all Nigerians. The chairperson stated that the race, which was part of the programmes lined up for the 11th convocation of the university, would feature only staff members and students of the institutions certified medically fit.

She commended the Vice Chancellor of the university, Rev. Fr. Christian Anieke, for providing opportunities for Nigerian youths to develop their skills.

According to her, the institutions are open to people of all races, irrespective of ethnic or religious beliefs, adding that the male and female star prize winners of last year’s edition of the marathon were from Plateau and Delta states.

“The decision to restrict this year’s marathon to only the students and staff of the university and its group of institutions is to hunt and discover the sports ability in them, especially in athletics,” she said.

The chairperson also announced that free registration for the exercise which would take place at Thinkers Corner campus of the university had begun.

She further said that the marathon was scheduled for Saturday and would begin at the entrance gate of Omnium Sanctorum Chaplaincy through Emene old road and terminate at the main campus of the university at Ugwuomu Nike, Enugu State.

Egiyi said adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the security and safety of the athletes and officials during the exercise.

(NAN)